March 24, 2006—The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) announced that it has published a new emergency reference guide that presents a clear overview of two important and well-established sets of exposure limits: the Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) and Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEELs).
The AIHA Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels Committee and the Emergency Response Planning Committee are responsible for the creation of the new publication, “2006 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG) and Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEEL) Handbook.”
There are 126 ERPGs and 110 WEELs in the emergency reference guide. Recommended values for each series are contained in the booklet, along with other important information. This format is valuable for quick reference, but the exposure limits should always be used in conjunction with the documentation provided in each full set of ERPGs and WEELs. The guide is separated into two main sections, and the guide includes an extensive glossary that is applicable to both ERPGs and WEELs.
AIHA guidelines are developed through a consensus process that involves review by internal AIHA technical committees and external review by outside experts. The intent of this guideline is to provide guidance to the practicing OEHS professional.
Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. For more information, visit the Web site.
